Mary Kong, president of the Hmong Center of Green Bay, talked a few weeks ago about her experiences in working with Michael VanDenLangenberg, Green Bay SCORE volunteer, on a business plan.

As Kong continues to work on the plan, one of the biggest challenges she has is addressing the financial needs of the center. The building needs improvements and she has a laundry list of programs that would benefit the Hmong community. With this in mind, Kong looks beyond typical nonprofit fund-raising techniques.

"Funds are down partly because of the economy, and also because we need a stronger marketing program," Kong said. "With SCORE coming in to help with planning, we found that we need to develop a fundraising data base and promote community awareness with unique programs."

Among those programs is a culinary kitchen that is open to the public at a rate of $15 per hour with a three-hour minimum. Currently in the process of being updated, the kitchen originally was set up about a decade ago with the help of the University of Wisconsin-Extension and Department of Agriculture.

"It was an excellent fit for our community," Kong said, "because when the Hmong came from Laos and Thailand, they came from a culture of bartering. This provided the opportunity to make products that could be sold or bartered."

The kitchen can be used any time, day or night, with prior arrangements by calling the Hmong Center at (920) 432-8900. Kong emphasized that they encourage the public to sign up.

Another major fundraiser is the group's egg roll sales, held quarterly at the center.

"We have individuals in the community of all ages who come in and prep the food and mix it together. Roll, fry and package - everyone has their role and it creates a sense of community," Kong said. "We sell between three- and four-thousand egg rolls."

In addition, the Green Bay Packers offer the opportunity for nonprofits to clean the stadium after games; something the Hmong Center does several times a year.

While these sources provide some funds, it is not nearly enough for Kong to realize her vision for expanded youth and cultural programming. While she works on a plan to gain exposure among agencies and people who might donate, she is collaborating with other agencies for services.

"While we are doing what we can to raise funds, we are also expanding our involvement with agencies that can help us," she said. "For example, we're trying to set up a language class and the Literacy Council is helping. The Neighborhood Association is working with us on plans for a park, and the Girl Scouts of America is helping us develop youth programs."

As the future unfolds, Kong has a Facebook page and is trying to get the word out that the Hmong community can benefit the general community. They have a strong presence at local farmer's markets and have ethnic specialty foods that add to the local cuisine.

The motivation, she says, is in knowing that she can help people and make a difference.